The Championship returned after the international break, and was not short of drama. From twitter beef to basement battles, James Clement brings you five EFL stories you may have missed this weekend.
Goals At Last
Embed from Getty ImagesIf entertainment is what you’re after, then the Hawthornes has not been the place to be so far this season. Remarkably, Baggies fans had been treated to just three goals in seven games prior to the weekend, playing out an incredible five goalless draws. This stat reflects a four-year low for Championship goals at this stage of the season.
Saturday saw a goal tally outscoring all of their home games combined as Albion played out a 2-2 draw with Norwich City. Mason Holgate opened the scoring before being pegged back through Emiliano Marcondes and a Tobjorn Heggem own goal. Josh Maja levelled the contest on the brink of half time before regularly scheduled programming resumed for a goalless second half.
Despite their goal-shy home form Carlos Corberan’s men sit just inside the playoffs in sixth. A tough test awaits them tonight away at second-placed Sunderland.
Late Willy In Wales
Embed from Getty ImagesLeeds United were sent to the top of the Championship via late drama on the Welsh coast. Seconds after Florian Bianchini looked to have rescued a draw for the Swans, Willy Gnonto put the Whites 4-3 up in the first minute of injury time.
Swansea had scarcely finished celebrating what looked to be a hard-earned point when Dan James found space on the edge of the Swans’ box. His pass beat the poorly organised City offside trap to find the feet of Gnonto. The diminutive Italian made no mistake to send the travelling fans into raptures.
His third goal this season, Gnonto will be looking to best last term’s tally of eight to power Leeds United back to the Premier League.
No Love Lost For Burton
Embed from Getty ImagesWrexham ran out 3-0 winners at home to Exeter City at the Stok Cae Ras, sending the Red Dragons up to second in League One. Three players made their full home debuts in the contest, yet it was the words of debutant goalkeeper Callum Burton that had fans talking after the game.
Having moved to Wrexham this summer after his release from Exeter’s Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle, Burton has clearly not forgotten his westcountry allegiances at his new club.
Celebrating victory on his maiden home start, Burton tweeted:
“Home Debut, 3 points and a clean sheet. Always enjoy beating the bin juice of Devon as well.”
Naturally, this post caused a bit of a stir amongst City fans, whilst Argyle fans didn’t miss the opportunity to show love to their old ‘keeper.
Wrexham prepare to take on Lincoln City this evening, whilst Exeter will dust themselves off after their first defeat in five in all competitions against Birmingham City.
Come On W̶i̶l̶f̶r̶i̶e̶d̶ Geoffrey Bony
Embed from Getty ImagesWant to feel really old? Newport County manager Nelson Jardim handed 19 year old Geoffrey Bony – son of former Manchester City star Wilfried – his senior debut in their 0-0 draw against Notts County.
Father Wilfried never officially turned out for the Exiles, but spent a lot of time training with the club on and off since 2019. Having spent the best years of his career at Swansea City, the Ivorian clearly feels at home in south Wales.
Eager to keep the youngster’s feet on the ground, Jardim said:
“He’s not even half (as good as Wilfried) yet, but it’s about progression and moving forward.”
Having signed on a short-term deal until the end of the season, young Bony will look to embody his father’s free scoring nature to propel 16th-placed County up the league table heading into the busy festive period.
Hope Downs Hopeless Town
Embed from Getty ImagesPossibly a tad too-early for the moniker of a “six-pointer”, bottom side Morecambe travelled to 22nd-placed Swindon Town in a key clash to avoid the drop from League Two. Having surrendered an early 2-0 lead, the Shrimps fought back through former Swindon man Hallam Hope to run out 3-2 winners.
A simple ball over the top in the 78th minute caught Town napping, as Hope powered home to see Morecambe level on points with Swindon.
Morecambe will look to build on their recent uptick in form, with four wins coming in their last five in all competitions. Swindon are still in the search for their maiden victory under Ian Holloway.
